New Restaurant Intel: October 2017

Oct 04, 2017by Urban Journey

At UrbanJourney we’re all about finding the hottest new happenings around town, especially when it comes to good eats. This month we’ve uncovered a ton of new Singapore restaurants, cafes and bars that are definitely worth putting on your must-visit list. From chic coffee houses to speakeasy-style steakhouses, healthy vegan eats and indulgent Middle Eastern cuisine, these are our top picks for new restaurants to check out in October. If you're looking for a more curated recommendation, feel free to ask our concierge.

Aburiya at Boat Quay

If you’ve been following us on your Urban Journey, you probably already know that Aburiya is a favourite of ours for their exquisite Japanese BBQ consisting of melt-on-your-mouth meats grilled over bincho charcoal. When we heard they opened in Boat Quay, we were ecstatic, especially because they’ve also added a new tapas and cocktail bar to the mix. Start your evening at The Container outdoors for a Wagyu-infused whisky on ice, and then head inside for a carnivorous feast of Wagyu and Tokachi beef and Buta Karubi pork belly.

When we heard that two fresh-faced chefs had opened up a fine-dining spot on Duxton Road where the focus is on Asian ingredients and innovative, yet unpretentious dishes, we were intrigued. At Ards, chef-owners Ace Tan and David Lee prepare multi-course meals using delicacies from around the region like abalone, yuzu, flower clams and sea cucumber. It’s set menus only here with three or five courses on offer at lunch and dinner and an impressive 15-course menu available only during dinner service.

One Michelin-starred restaurant, Bacchanalia, offers a refreshed look and philosophy. The Kitchen at Bacchanalia first open its doors in April 2013 at the historic Masonic Hall. Since then, it has moved to the heart of Singapore’s trendy food enclave of Hong Kong Street and has just reopened with a fresh new look and menu. The restaurant now has a new bar in the front of the restaurant serving refreshing cocktails, a renewed wine list and now showcases contemporary french cuisine.

You will love “eating in” the middle of the action as Chef Luke Armstrong and his team are all at arm’s length carrying out their tasks from prepping to cooking to plating. Choose from the 6, 8 or 10 course menu priced at $120, $185 and $230. There is also a 2 and 3 course menu available for lunch at $55 and $65.

It may seem odd to have a steakhouse inside an ice cream parlour and dessert shop, but the concept seems to work at Fat Belly, a 10-seater spot that takes over the back counter at Sugarhaus, their sister venture. The menu here is small with just a few offerings like the Flat Iron steak and Short Ribs with a vibrant chimichurri sauce, as well as sides like the Thyme Mushrooms and Creamed Kale. Given their locale, it should come as no surprise that they also offer dessert like the intriguing Foie Gras Ice Cream with brulee banana.

If Spanish food is your jam, then Gaig is definitely one to check out. This Stanley Street newbie actually has a rich history, as it’s an offshoot of the Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name in Barcelona, which has been in chef-owner Carles Gaig’s family since 1869. Highlights here include tapas like the Jamon Iberico Croquettes and Cannelloni stuffed with beef, pork and foie gras and dressed with a truffle cream sauce. The Catalan stews are also worth a try, as are the fragrant paellas packed with fresh seafood.

Located in CHIJMES, the Glasshouse is exactly what it sounds like—an all-glass structure that houses a chic little coffee shop and toast bar. The ambiance is lovely with lots of natural light, greenery inside and out, and seating along the counter in front of the baristas or next to the windows. They plan to switch up the coffee every month, so you can try brews by different roasters, and the menu features tasty toast creations like the Avocado & Dukkah with hummus and feta and the Seed & Nut Butter with banana, muesli and maple.

Just opened this month, KYUU by Shunsui is a Robatayaki spot specialising in premium meats, fresh seafood flown in from Tsukiji Market and vibrant veggies grilled over smoky charcoal. To sample the best eats of the day, order the omakase menu and let the chefs surprise you with an array of tasty appetizers, thick slabs of sashimi and grilled goods served with their special house sauces. Pair your meal with hot or cold sake or an icy Japanese beer.

KYUU by Shunsui has taken over the space of Five Nines (which has now moved to Cuppage). They are offering up Omakase menus at $129++ and ala carte menus will only be available after 9pm. Officially opening its doors on 7 Oct but you can go in this weekend and indulge in a 7 course omakase for $69++. They are also offering 20% off drinks.

OSO is one of our favourite splurge-worthy Italian restaurants, and they recently moved digs to the new Oasia Hotel Downtown in Tanjong Pagar. We’re happy to say that the move has done them well, as their new space on the 27th floor is sleek and sophisticated, but still offers a comfortable ‘settle-in-for-a-while’ vibe. And of course the food is as amazing as ever with handmade pastas and risottos made with fresh ingredients from Italy, as well as a massive selection of fine wines and cheeses.

With our new found love for Fat Prince, a buzzy Middle Eastern spot offering contemporary kebabs and cocktails, we’re sure their backroom supper club Ottomani (formerly The Ottoman Room) will be just as solid, especially as they share the same kitchen. Step into a space lowly lit with candles and oil lanterns and settle in amongst comfy cushions to enjoy next-level mezze like the Hummus with duck fat and candied lemon and slow-roasted meats like the Sticky Pork Belly with a Turkish coffee rub and succulent Lebanese Duck.

East Coasters you’re going to love this one, especially if you’ve already tried and fallen in love with Pince & Pints’ out-of-this-world lobster at their original location on Duxton. The new branch is set to open on October 16th with the same great menu featuring lobster flown in from Maine every week and prepared in a variety of ways like straight-up grilled or steamed with butter, in a Lobster Burger served with housemade sauces and sweet potato fries, or in their decadent Lobster Mac n’ Cheese.

No matter which branch of PS.Cafe you visit you’re pretty much guaranteed a good ambiance, which is what we love about this chain, so we expected nothing less from their new space at One Fullerton. The space is bright and airy with white brick walls, rattan chairs and huge windows offering views of Marina Bay, and the menu features fresh salads, light bites like truffle fries and modern Asian fare. For all you CBD’ers looking for a stylish new coffee or lunch meeting spot, this is a great bet.

Renku Bar & Lounge may be open 24 hours, but this ain’t no all-night dive bar spot. Located in the lobby of Tower 1 at Marina Bay Sands, this sophisticated space is done up in dark greens and earth tones and features high-backed leather armchairs and marble-topped tables. Come during the day for their elegant high tea with light bites and premium teas brewed by their tea master, or swing by in the evening for handcrafted cocktails and their exclusive green tea-infused Renku Lager.

Healthy eats anyone? Wholesome Savour is a new vegan cafe located in Palais Renaissance that offers up nutritious dishes that are completely guilt-free. We’re talking no dairy, gluten, trans-fat, additives or preservatives, so you can dig in knowing that you’re doing your body good. Try their smoothie bowls made with homemade nut milks, all-day breakfast dishes like the Forest Berries Flapjacks, and dehydrated snacks like the Kale Yeah with miso ginger dressing.